First & Ten Chapter 26

BPOV

For the first time since I started, I actually felt butterflies in my stomach as I headed in to work. It was like it was my first day all over again, but no. It was just my first day as the reporter who's romantically involved with Edward Cullen. I wasn't sure how my colleagues, beyond Jessica and Lauren, were going to react to this news, particularly my fellow sports reporters. We'd always gotten along well but somehow I felt like everything was about to change. And I knew I had to get used to it, because this was just the first set of co-workers to deal with. Rival reporters were likely to be a lot less welcoming.

I tried to shove my nerves aside as I entered the building, after all, I'd told Ted that I could handle it and I meant it. I steeled myself as I turned the corner and made my way past Ashley Blake's desk. She was, for all intents and purposes the secretary, but in reality she controlled every bit of information that came into the news desk, routing it to the proper person. We couldn't function without her.

She glanced up at me as she spoke into the headset and transferred yet another call. I smiled at her and she nodded, her dark eyes moving over me almost like she was checking me out. I could almost hear her assessing me, wondering what Edward Cullen could possibly see in me. Then a smile broke out over her face and I automatically smiled back. "Loved the article," she mouthed as she punched another line in her headphones. I mentally chastised myself for being an idiot, smiled my thanks and continued toward my cubicle.

While I may have imagined Ashley's reaction to me, I didn't imagine the silence that fell over most of my colleagues as I walked to my desk. Conversations that had been going cut off mid-sentence and I felt several pairs of eyes on me. I inwardly cringed at the attention but kept my head held high. I had nothing to be ashamed of. So I was dating a celebrity. Get the fuck over it.

I focused in on Seth Clearwater and Paul Mader, my colleagues at the sports desk. Seth was currently doing my old job, along with covering Arizona State athletics. Paul was in charge of U of A and also did wrap ups of the rest of the Pac-10 Conference. Seth's dark eyes met mine for a moment before he turned away from me and pulled up something on his computer. Paul didn't pretend to be busy; he just sat back in his chair and sipped his coffee while meeting my gaze head on.

"Paul," I said, giving him my usual smile, like it was any other day.

"Mrs. Cullen," he replied with an impish grin. My heart stopped for a few seconds before it started to pound in my chest. According to Edward, that would be my name one day. Though I hadn't told him that at the time, I wanted it. It annoyed me that Paul was the first to call me that though.

I stopped at his desk and glared. "That's not my name." Seth muttered something behind me but I didn't understand it and when I turned to face him he was still staring at his computer screen.

Paul kicked his feet up on his desk and I smacked his shoe lightly. "You know, I always knew you had a thing for pretty boys, Bella, and I fully expected you to fall for me."

I rolled my eyes. Paul was very happily married with three cute kids. "That ugly mug? You couldn't hope to compete with my man," I mock sneered.

He chuckled. "Not on or off the field, I'm afraid." Paul had been a high school quarterback but didn't have what it took to break beyond third string in college.

"That's okay; I still love you anyway, even if you're not pretty," I told him, glancing over and still seeing the back of Seth's head. I looked at Paul and he shrugged. I knew that Seth had a crush on me and I felt a pang of guilt that I didn't share his interest. It probably hurt to read about me and Edward in the paper.

"So, Seth, I really loved your article on the Plant game," I told him.

"Thanks," he grunted, still not looking at me.

Paul let out a low whistle and held his hands in front of him in surrender. "I'm going to get a refill," he told us, grabbing his coffee cup and hightailing it to the break room.

I sighed and tried again. "I really think that Adams is going to take the title this year. Their running back's a stud and the O-line opens up holes the size of the Grand Canyon." Nothing. Not a word of acknowledgment, a reaction, or even a flinch.

"Jess and Lauren had a great time at the auction, though I'm a bit worried that Lauren may have worked Crowley too hard for him to be effective on Sunday." Yes, I was getting desperate. Seth was my favorite person here at work and I hated that he wasn't speaking to me.

"What about Cullen? I'm sure you're taking away some of his prep time." The words, when they came, were bitter and harsh. I gasped and grasped the edge of his desk, as if to hold myself up from the pain of his words as they sliced through me. He finally turned and the look on his face matched his words. His black eyes blazed at me and his mouth was curled in a sneer.

"I…I, uh…" I didn't know what to say.

"Just tell me one thing, Bella. Remember that day that I covered for you, when you had something important come up?" Of course I remembered. That was the night that I made love to Edward for the first time, easily one of the best nights of my entire life. "Was Cullen the important thing you had to do? Or should I say, important person you had to do?"

I shot a quick look around us and nobody was looking our way, but then again, I didn't see them working the phones or typing away either. I had a feeling every person within earshot was tuned in to what Seth was saying.

I lowered my voice and tried to answer. "Seth, I really don't think…"

"Just answer the question, Bella." His voice wasn't loud, but the tone was loud and clear.

"Yes, I had plans with Edward." I would give him the truth, even if he'd hate me for it.

Seth chuckled darkly. "Well, I'm glad you didn't let work interfere with your personal life. Hell, you can use your personal life to enhance it now. Everybody wins."

That statement got a few people behind me talking and when I turned to look at them, they quieted with guilty looks. Of course he wasn't alone in thinking it, no matter what we said in the interview. I knew that there'd be doubters; I just really hadn't thought my friend would be one of them.

I sighed and reached out a hand toward him but he jerked away before I could touch his arm. I guess I should have expected that. "You know me better than that, Seth. I wouldn't use Edward to get ahead."

"I don't know you at all, Bella. You made sure of that," he responded angrily.

"What does that mean?" I had spent countless hours with Seth, talking about life, sports, running questions by him and helping him whenever he needed it. We were friends, damn it.

"It means that every time I asked you out, you said no. Guess you were waiting for the big fish though. Tell me, Bella, how did you land him?"

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "Seth, we're friends and I didn't want to ruin…"

"We're not friends!" he shouted and now the whole bullpen was quiet.

Tears sprang into my eyes but I refused to let them fall in front of the whole office. "Alright, clearly you're mad at me. I'm sorry that I didn't want to mess up our friendship by going out with you. Apparently I've done that by falling in love with Edward. I'm sorry it hurts you and I'm sorry that I didn't tell you long ago. I was waiting for…well, it doesn't matter what I was waiting for. I won't bother you again."

Something flashed in his eyes but I couldn't tell if it was more anger or not. I hoped it was regret but I wasn't sticking around to find out. I whirled on my heel and made my way to my desk, keeping from making eye contact with anyone. I sank into my chair and turned on my computer, staring at the screen as I waited for it to boot up. My message light was blinking on my phone and I picked it up and dialed in my password, doing anything I could to try to distract me from the hurt I was feeling.

Twenty-seven messages? What the heck? I listened as reporter after reporter left a message, wanting to interview me about my relationship with Edward. They were all the same entities that had come after him and I sighed and hung up without listening to more than few. I knew that they wanted to talk to me; Alice had told me as much after she'd returned from her long exile as she played PR person for Edward.

I dialed her number quickly. "Hey, Bella, what's up?" she chirped, sounding completely chipper for someone who was working two jobs. I wanted to hate her but that was impossible.

"Oh, let's see, everyone at work thinks I'm a whore and I have about a billion interview requests in my voicemail." Yes, I was exaggerating but this day already sucked and it wasn't even ten o'clock yet.

"Who called you a whore?" The chirp became almost a growl as Alice questioned me.

"He didn't say it in so many words but…"

"Who, Bella?" she yelled. And now I was going to go deaf in my right ear on top of everything else.

I blew out a breath before answering. "Seth."

"I'm going to end him!" she shouted. "He's supposed to be your friend and he can't be happy for you just because you don't return his feelings? Fuck that."

"Alice, there's nothing you can do. I'm sure he's not the only one thinking it. He's just the only one who said it."

"Bella, tell me something. If someone you called a friend there at work was dating someone famous, would you accuse them of doing it for some kind of personal gain?"

"No, of course not."

"Well, then, that tells you all you need to know about Seth. He's angry and jealous and an asshole. I fully intend to kick his ass next time I come to see you."

I laughed at the image of five foot nothing Alice kicking 6'3 Seth's ass, but I didn't doubt she could do it. She had Emmett cowering, for crying out loud.

"Don't laugh at me, I can do it," she informed me haughtily.

"I know you can. It's just a funny mental picture." I loved that Alice could make me find the humor in a situation.

"Maybe it is, but he won't be laughing, I assure you. As to the reporters, just ignore them. I've arranged a couple of interviews for the two of you each night, just over the phone, nothing major, and they don't get more than thirty minutes. I've told them that there's not much to tell and they should use Lauren's article as their basis because they're not getting much more than that. It'll be perfectly painless. You have Thursday night off to enjoy one another before you both head to Chicago on Friday."

"Thanks for that much," I replied sarcastically.

"Oh, shut up, you have every night as well. You spend an hour or two on interviews and then the night is yours. I made sure that you have plenty of time alone."

"I know, Alice, and I thank you. Nobody else could have gotten Edward's schedule together so quickly." She was right and I wanted her to know that I appreciated what she was doing for him, for us.

"Well, this is true," she replied, sounding appeased. "Did you know that they want him to do an underwear line?"

I froze. Damn it, she'd heard about that already? "Yes, he mentioned it."

"Well! Don't you think he should? I have all these ideas!" I tuned her out as she rambled about boxers, boxer briefs and whatever the hell else she had in mind.

"That's great, Alice. Edward isn't sure he wants to do it though." And I wasn't sure I wanted my man to be nearly naked in magazine and television ads, which is exactly where this was going. I wasn't a fool.

"Uh huh, but it would be quite lucrative and…" she chattered away. A throat cleared in front of my desk and I looked up to see Lauren and Jessica grinning at me like twin Mad Hatters. Saved…or was I?

"Alice, I've gotta run. I'll talk to you later."

"Okay! I have to call Alec anyway." I chuckled, wondering just how much time she was spending talking to Edward's business manager instead of doing her own work. I hung up and faced the two happy women in front of me.

"What's going on?"

"Your boyfriend is a god." Yeah, pretty damn close to it and Zeus sure was. I smirked at my thought and tried to focus on them.

"I take it your dates went well?"

Lauren fanned herself dramatically. "Tyler is so hot! And by the way, his hands are fantastic!" I snickered at the dreamy look on her face.

"And Sam is big! All over!" Jessica blurted, causing all three of us to nearly choke on laughter.

"Well, I'm glad they lived up to expectations." My heart felt much lighter just having the two women supporting me, laughing and actually happy for me.

"Oh yes! Tyler's coming over for dinner tonight. And you know I don't cook." Lauren winked. "He won't complain though. I'm going to give him a real feast." Images of her feeding one of her giant boobs to Tyler flashed in my head and I fought off a shudder.

"I'm seeing Sam tomorrow," Jessica supplied. "He talks about his ex way too much, but I found an effective way of shutting him up."

I really didn't need any of their sex details so I reached for my phone again. "I'll be sure to tell Edward how happy you are. He'll be glad."

They both stood to go but Lauren came around and put her hand on my shoulder. "Hey, Bella, I heard what happened with Seth." Of course she did, everyone had. "He's being a jerk because he has a major crush on you and everybody knows it. That's no excuse, but I really don't think he meant half the shit that he said. And I intend to tell him that the next time he goes off on you in a public place, I won't be held responsible for what I write about him in my column."

I squeezed her hand and tried not to let the tears come again. "Thanks, Lauren. You don't have to do that, though."

"Girl solidarity," she told me, squeezing back. "Now get to work." I watched as she and Jess left and was surprised to miss them seconds later.

I shrugged it off and started pulling up information on the Bears for my next article. I lost myself in injury reports and stats for a couple hours and my balance returned as I did what I loved. A loud gasp caught my attention and I pulled myself away from the computer, glancing to my left to see what was going on.

My jaw dropped as I saw Edward weaving his way between desks as he walked in my direction. He looked gorgeous as ever in blue jeans and a royal blue polo shirt. He flashed a smile at everyone he passed but didn't stop until he reached my desk, holding out a tell-tale brown bag.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, taking the Panera bag and setting it on my desk. I wanted to throw myself into his arms but I couldn't do that here and now. This was already probably too much, but God knows I wanted him here.

"I had to go get my new phone, remember? And I wanted you to have the number first, so I'm here to deliver it, and lunch." He smiled sweetly and I reached for his hand. I had to touch him.

"Did Alice call you?" I asked suspiciously.

"No, she has my phone, remember?" Oh yeah. "Why?" he asked, his eyes narrowed. I shrugged and he leaned forward, his green eyes boring into mine. "Why, Bella?"

I sighed and ran my right hand through my hair. "It just hasn't been a good day so far."

He glanced at my co-workers, all of whom were currently gawking at him. "Is that so? And why is that, exactly?" His voice was quiet, but it was that scary, angry quiet that he did so effectively when he wanted to.

"We'll talk about it later." He looked back at me, clearly wanting to press but whatever he saw in my face made him relent.

"Okay, sweetheart. Is it alright if I stay and have lunch with you?" He looked so hopeful. It was adorable.

I smiled and squeezed his hand in thanks. "Of course it is. I can't believe you deigned to deliver it yourself."

His eyes sparkled. "I was sick of all these lucky delivery guys getting to visit you at work while I was busy sweating and missing you."

Sweaty Edward brought to mind all sorts of thoughts that were best not to have at work, especially not when he was three feet away from me across my desk. It wouldn't take much to just haul him forward and push all my shit on the floor and take him right here with an office full of people staring at us.

"Uh, yeah, well," I squeaked and he laughed, knowing the effect he had on me. He let go of my hand and reached into the bag, pulling out sandwich, soup and bread.

"I got us each turkey on sourdough and broccoli cheddar soup," he told me.

"My favorites." I grinned at him and he grinned back as he sat, holding out a spoon for me.

"So what are you working on?" he asked as he dug into his food.

I swallowed a bite of my turkey before answering. "Breaking down Cutler's stats, reading up on their last few games, looking for trends and what you need to watch for."

He smirked. "Yeah? And what do I need to watch out for?"

I took a sip of my soup, moaning softly at the cheesy goodness. Edward cleared his throat and I giggled at his reaction. Two could play the sexual tension game.

"Urlacher on the blitz. They like bringing him right up the middle lately and with Peppers getting double teamed on the end; he's having a field day."

Edward leaned forward and lowered his voice. "You have no idea how fucking hot it is to hear you break down football games."

I licked a drop of soup off my lip. "You may have shown me, a time or two."

His eyes were on my mouth as he responded, "I'll show you again tonight. I just so happen to have some game film to watch."

"I look forward to it," I told him with a little grin.

He answered me with a sexy smile. "As do I."

We ate and he told me about getting his new phone and his plan to hook up with Emmett and Jasper after he left me. They were going to play some basketball for a little extra exercise. I loved the image of Edward driving toward a basket and I wished I could be there. He would look sexy as hell, no doubt about it.

We finished lunch and Edward balled up the bag and tossed it in my trash can. "See, already scoring."

I bit my lip at the sexy smirk on his face. "Save some scoring for me later."

He grinned and looked over his shoulder. We weren't really the center of attention at the moment so he leaned forward and kissed me on the lips quickly. "I save my best scoring for you."

"Good. Edward?"

"Yeah?" he asked, taking out his phone and dialing mine so that I'd have his new number. I quickly saved it.

"Thanks for coming today. Really. I don't know how you knew I needed you but I think you did."

He smiled and reached out, running his fingers over left cheek. I leaned into those magic fingers of his and closed my eyes.

"I had a hunch it wouldn't be an easy day for you. I'm sorry that it hasn't been. But I wanted you to know I'm always going to be there for you."

I opened my eyes and took in the sincerity in his gorgeous face. "I know you will."

"I love you, Bella."

The words warmed me, as they always did. "I love you too, Edward."

"See you after work?" he asked.

"Yes, I'll come straight there." I wanted to be in his arms and forget about Seth and judgmental eyes.

"Good." He stroked my cheek again. "Call me if you need me before then."

"I will. See you in a few hours."

I watched him walk off with another wave and a smile. So did everyone else. I sat back down and turned back to my monitor with a lighter heart once he was out of view. Edward always made everything better. If I had to endure a few angry co-workers, so be it.

About twenty minutes later I heard another familiar voice, though this one shocked me even more. "Bella?"

I looked up quickly. "Seth?" His voice was tentative and for the first time since I'd known him, he actually appeared pale. He was descended from a local Indian tribe and his skin was always a nice tan color, but he looked almost white now.

"I just wanted to apologize. I never should have implied that you were with Cullen for any reason other than that you cared for him. I'm sorry."

What the hell? "Oh, Seth, I'm sorry too. I never meant to hurt you."

He held up a hand. "No, you have nothing to apologize for. I was a jealous jerk. It won't happen again." Before I could say another word he was gone.

I sat there stunned for a couple of minutes and then my cell phone buzzed, shaking me from my trance. I saw it was from Emmett and I started coughing when I read it.

Did your co-worker apologize?

Yes, he did. How did you know? Of course I knew the answer to that. Alice. She'd gone to Jasper and of course he'd told Emmett. I guess I could only be thankful that Edward's cell was unknown to them when he was here or Seth might have been more than pale.

I see all and know all, Katie Couric.

Oh, sure you do, Kreskin. What did you say to him?

Nothing for you to worry about, Barbara Walters. It's handled. He won't be insulting my favorite reporter again. Despite myself, I felt my lips twitching in a smile.

You can't go threatening my co-workers, Emmett. I could fight my own fights, when necessary.

I most certainly can. You're my friend and I love you, Bella. Nobody insults you while I'm still alive. Nobody.

You're just lucky that all I did was make a phone call. Jasper wanted to show up in your office. You're welcome.

I sighed and shook my head. There was no point in arguing with Emmett once he had an idea in his head. Thanks, Emmett. I love you, too. Tell Jasper the same.

I know you do, even more than you love Edward. Don't worry, I won't tell him or J that! I laughed and returned to my computer. He may be exuberant as all hell but I was glad that Emmett McCarty was protecting me just as fiercely as he protected Edward. I was glad I had Jasper, too. I had two overprotective big brothers now and even though I should be lecturing them about threatening my co-workers, I didn't have it in me.

xoxoxoxox

The rest of the week was mostly without incident, although it had been weird. From random phone interviews with reporters on my relationship, various strange offers that I was not accepting (Playboy, really?), and strained relationships at work, it was one for the record books. Nobody said anything else implying that I was selling out to date Edward, but neither were most of my fellow sports reporters overly talkative with me. Perhaps word had gotten around about the threat to Seth. It wouldn't surprise me in the least. Lauren and Jess knew somehow, so that meant the whole office did.

The plane landed smoothly and I breathed a sigh of relief as we taxied into the runway. It was Chicago in November, so it was plenty cold and I'd purchased and packed a heavy red jacket. Hopefully I'd get a lot of use for the thing as I covered more games. I navigated through O'Hare without any problems and my rental car was all arranged so I managed to get out of the airport fairly quickly.

Driving through Chicago traffic wasn't the best thing to calm my nerves over my first game since Edward and I had gone public with our relationship but I fought to ignore it and just enjoy being in a new city. I liked traveling and didn't get to do enough of it since Alice and I had graduated and gotten real jobs. She used to haul me places all the time but real life got in the way and we usually only managed a trip or two a year now.

I found the Best Western Grant Park and pulled in with a smile. It was near some of the museums and I thought I might have some time between covering practice and the game itself. I'd always wanted to go to the Shedd Aquarium and I could walk to it from my hotel. I checked in and unpacked my suitcase, hanging up my pantsuit that I planned on wearing to the game. My slacks, blouse and jacket were all I really needed today.

I had about an hour before I needed to head to the stadium so I relaxed on the bed and called Edward to let him know I'd arrived. He was staying at the Hilton, though he might already be at the stadium now. It was weird to have him so close but so far away. I wished I could go to the museums with him but he would be busy and I'd promised Ted I'd stay away from him and that was a promise I intended to keep, no matter how hard it was.

"Hey, sweetheart." His voice washed over me and any lingering tension I had about the day ahead was soothed out just from hearing him.

"Hey yourself, handsome. Are you at the stadium yet?"

"Headed there in about five minutes," he replied. "How was your flight?"

"Uneventful." He'd been a little angry with me when he heard what went down with Seth and he'd wanted to show back up at work the next day but his own job and my threats kept him from doing so. I knew he wanted to defend me but there was only so much he could he do. It meant a lot that he wanted to. He'd had to content himself with Emmett's threats and my promise that if anything like that happened again, he'd be the first person I told.

"That's good. Just an hour until I see you again. Are you going to be able to control yourself watching me practice?"

It was a very valid question. God knew he'd look gorgeous and he'd be without his pads and helmet as they didn't hit in this practice. "I think I'll manage," I replied dryly. He laughed his sexy laugh and I joined in.

His laughter cut off abruptly as somebody was speaking to him. I couldn't make out what they were saying but he came back to me a moment later. "Time to head out."

"Okay, I'll see you shortly," I told him, though I felt a pang at the separation, which was ridiculous. It wasn't like we'd never been apart during an away game before. At least I was in the same city as he was.

"I can't wait. Love you."

"Love you, too."

I got up and washed my face, reapplying my makeup and getting together my laptop. Interviews were tomorrow so I didn't need my tape recorder. I got my bag and everything I needed and drove over to Soldier Field.

The gigantic stadium was recently renovated, but it still held that air of being old and standing the test of time. I snapped a few pictures with my phone because I wanted to attempt to capture the aura of the place. It was quiet and I showed my press pass to the guard who let me through, waving me toward the entrance to do the stadium walk-through and find a seat to watch practice.

I stepped onto the field and took a turn to look at the rows of empty seats. I knew the atmosphere would be electric on Sunday. These were two playoff teams fighting for top seed and it was sure to be a hard-hitting, well-played game. I couldn't wait. I saw a few fellow reporters over in the front row near the fifty yard line and made my way over to them, smiling when I saw Ronnie grinning at me.

"Hi, Ronnie." I took a seat next to him and he patted my arm, his smile brightening.

"Hello there, Bella. I read a mighty interesting article about you earlier in the week."

There didn't seem to be any heat or judgment in his words but I blushed anyway. "Yeah, well, surprise?" I told him.

He threw back his head and laughed. "Yes, it was one. Good for you, though. Edward seems completely besotted with you."

I smiled softly. "He is and the feeling is quite mutual."

"That's all I need to know. You let me know if he fucks it up and I'll be sure to kick his ass." He grimaced. "Alright, well we both know I can't kick his ass, but I'll write something really mean about him."

I giggled and kissed his grizzled cheek. "Mighty is the pen!"

He joined in my laughter. "I think his fist might be mightier than my pen, but I'd endure it for you."

I opened my mouth to reply when a voice cut through our happy banter. "Geez, Swan, isn't banging Cullen enough for you? Or do you plan on winning the press over by doing us one by one? I'd be willing to entertain your offer."

Ronnie stiffened and I felt my face pale. I recognized that voice. I turned and there was Dan Mullen leering at me. A part of me had known I'd have to deal with him but I had hoped he'd only be at the game.

"Mullen, I swear to God if you disparage this lady one more time…" Ronnie broke off as Dan interrupted.

"Lady? I don't see a lady here. I see a sell-out who's trying to get a leg up on the competition. I bet you get your legs up really high for Cullen, don't you, Bella?"

Ronnie stood and I reached out and grabbed his arm to keep him from doing anything that he'd regret. Well, I doubted he'd regret it but getting into a fight wouldn't look good for him or for me for that matter. I had to deal with this myself, without violence, though hitting him would give me great pleasure.

"Actually, Mullen, I am going to be banging reporters, but I'm only doing the print press. I have no time for would-be internet bloggers." I wrapped my arm around Ronnie's waist and kissed his cheek again, batting my eyes flirtatiously. Dan's eyes narrowed and he took a step toward me but another man I'd never seen before put a hand on his chest.

"I think you better sit over there and stop being a complete ass, Dan. If I hear you sexually harassing a fellow reporter I'm obligated to report it." Dan pushed away from him and turned around, stomping up several rows. I felt him glaring at me but did my best to ignore it as I smiled my thanks at the stranger.

"Rick Hopkins, SI," he said, holding out his hand to me. I shook it and introduced myself and he laughed, his blue eyes glinting. "No introduction needed, Bella Swan, I think everyone knows who you are now." I felt my cheeks heat again and Ronnie put a supportive hand on my back.

"Sorry, I didn't mean anything by it. I'm afraid Dan's not the only one jealous of your access though. Most of us would kill for the chance to get the behind the scenes info that you're privy to. I don't think I'm Cullen's type, though." He flashed a smile and I knew he was teasing but it kind of hurt anyway.

"I don't really have insider info," I hurried to tell him and he shook his head.

"I'm not accusing you of that, Bella, just telling you what others are thinking and saying. You may not have the game plan but you can get Cullen to call you back within five minutes of leaving a message, I'll bet." Well, that was true enough I supposed. "Like it or not, you do have privileges the rest of us don't." He shrugged and smiled. "Use it while you can." I didn't really know what to say to that and he gave me and Ronnie both a nod and walked back to sit a couple of rows ahead of Dan.

We sat back down and Ronnie reached in his pocket and brought out a pack of gum, offering me some. I shook my head and let myself think about what Rick had just said. I guess if the situation were reversed, I'd be a little bothered that another reporter was able to speak to Edward whenever they wanted. But I didn't think I was taking advantage of that. I hadn't asked him anything for a report since the locker room tryst, which okay, was out of line but that wasn't the access they wanted. At least I didn't think so, though who knew? Edward was attractive to both sexes, after all.

"Don't let them get to you, Bella. Anybody who knows either one of you would know that you're not using one another." Yeah, but the majority of the world didn't know us, did they? I'd just have to make doubly sure that I didn't get any information from him off the clock. That was our time to just be together, anyway.

"I'll try not to," I told Ronnie. I didn't tell him that he'd probably have to beat a lot of asses if things kept going like they had so far today. My attention was diverted anyway when the team came out from the tunnel and started stretching on the field. My eyes immediately located that messy head of bronze hair and I sighed a little as I saw just how hot he looked in gray sweats and a long sleeved t-shirt. His eyes scanned the sidelines and he broke into a smile when he saw me. I smiled back but refrained from waving. I didn't need to give them any fodder.

Not that I could do anything about Emmett, who waved exuberantly when he caught sight of me. I waved back quickly and was thankful that Edward said something to him before he ran over to me, which it looked like he was about to do.

Practice was fun to watch. Edward's quarterback coach was right there on the field with him, taking the drop back next to him and directing Edward after he each throw, telling him what he saw on the field. Edward's passes looked crisp despite the wind that was swirling through the stadium. I was thankful I had my jacket on and cursing myself for not having gloves as I took notes. Jasper ran several long routes, catching each of Edward's passes mid-stride as he juked and dodged fake defenders. It was a trip to watch.

Of course, my favorite part of practice was the stretches. There were some mighty fine asses on the field, bent over as calves were gripped and worked, none finer than my boyfriend's, of course. I didn't include that observation in my notes though.

"He looks dialed in," Ronnie commented as Edward avoided a mock pass rush from Darnell Dockett and let the ball fly into the waiting arms of Larry Fitzgerald as he streaked across the center of the field.

"He is." I was proud of him, too. I didn't know if my being there was going to be any kind of distraction for him but other than that first hot look and smile when he came out on the field, he hadn't glanced my way once. I was glad and hoped my fellow reporters noticed as well.

As practice wrapped up, most of the team made their way back into the locker room but I saw Edward and Jasper continuing to work a few routes at the other end of the stadium. That's what made them so in tune, though. They didn't stop when everyone else did. I made note of that before shutting my laptop and rising with Ronnie.

"Did you want to grab dinner with an old man tonight?" he asked, yawning and stretching.

I chuckled and shook my head. "How about tomorrow night? I need to file my story and I think I'll just get room service and crash in my room tonight." Dan the Dick filed past us, shooting me another glare, which I happily returned. At least he kept his big mouth shut.

"Tomorrow it is, kid." I looked at Edward one more time as I made my way out of the row and his eyes were on me now. He smiled and mouthed something that I couldn't understand. I smiled back and left, wondering what he'd been trying to say.

After I got back to my room, I finished my article on practice and emailed it to Ted before getting in the shower and letting all the tension from the day leave me as the water poured over my skin. I had a better way to relieve stress a few short blocks away but I knew I couldn't go to him which really sucked. I'd live though. Sunday night I was going straight to Edward's when my plane landed.

I pulled on my new flannel pajama bottoms and one of Edward's gray t-shirts and ordered room service while I watched SportsCenter and sent a few emails off to my parents and Alice. My cell rang and I smiled when I saw Edward's number.

"Hello."

"Hello, my love. How did you like practice?" I sat back against my pillows and chatted with him about Ronnie and how great Edward looked throwing the ball. "That's great, baby, but how'd it go with the rest of the reporters?"

I sighed and ran a hand through my damp hair. I couldn't not tell him, though. I'd promised. "Dan was a jerk, which is par for the course."

Edward was quiet for a moment. "A jerk, how?" I heard the edge in his voice and bit my lip.

"You know, like he was the last time." I'd told Edward about Dan hitting on me and he hadn't been overly thrilled, but there hadn't been anything he could do anyway. Our relationship was a secret then, and even if it hadn't been, he couldn't exactly hit a guy for making rude comments.

"What did he say, Bella?" I sighed and told him, wincing at the curses that came out of his mouth.

"I'm going to get that fucker fired, I swear. Nobody should be able to talk to you like that."

"Ronnie and another guy, Rick, stood up for me and I stood up for myself. He backed down just like last time, Edward. He's a coward."

"I don't like it, Bella. Guys like that don't just give up and go away." I could hear the frustration in his voice.

"It doesn't matter, Edward. I can handle him." A knock on my door interrupted my train of thought. "Hang on a second, I think my dinner's here."

"Yeah? What did you get?"

"A chicken sandwich and fries," I replied, tugging open my door and gasping when I saw who was standing there. Shit, it wasn't room service. Dan Mullen stood in my doorway, a smirk on his idiotic face, his white dress shirt untucked from his jeans and the top few buttons open. He wobbled a little and held onto the frame. What the hell? Was he drunk?

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Who is it?" Edward asked.

"I just came to offer you a chance to make up for being such a bitch earlier. I'll forgive you, if you give me a little bit of what Cullen's getting every night." He slurred a bit on the last word.

"Dan, I already told you I'm not interested."

"What?" Edward's shout echoed in my ears and I realized that I'd spoken right into the phone.

"It's nothing. I'm handling it." I listened for Edward's response and realized that he'd disconnected. This was not going to be good.

A/N Yeah, I cliffied this one. *braces myself* But I really wanted the next part to pick up in EPOV so yeah, had to happen. Hopefully you'll forgive me. Our Bella's not having the best time this week, but maybe her man will find a way to help things improve?

Not sure if you've heard, but there's another Sportsward contest out there, like the one that spawned this story. And they would not let me submit chapter one of this story over again (boo, hiss!) so I was forced to write a new one (yay, hopefully!). It's under my profile, Sideline Collision. It's got a college QBward, though I'm calling him Cockyback and he's nothing like our sweet QB here. He's more like the college athletes I knew at FSU back in the day. But I like him, even tho he's an ass. And I really like Reed Girl. Check it out, if you like. Voting starts mid-March.

See you next week with a look into QB's mindset!